Matthew Timoko given chance to shine for Canberra Raiders after Curtis Scott suspended over nightclub brawl

Canberra star Curtis Scott has been stood down over a nightclub brawl – and it has opened the door for a Raiders livewire to make his mark.

Raiders rookie Matthew Timoko has two games to push his claims as to why Ricky Stuart doesn’t need to go to market to find a more experienced replacement if Curtis Scott is sacked.

Scott is facing having his contract torn up over allegations he was not only involved in an ugly nightclub fight, but then chose not to inform the club before it was exposed through the media a week after the incident occurred.

Disturbing footage has emerged allegedly showing Scott punching a man before being ejected from the venue.

It’s the last thing the club needed to deal with this week, coming on the back of a disastrous start to the season for a team many fancied as a title contender.

They now take on the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday with the teams respectively 14th and 15th on the NRL ladder and their top eight hopes fading fast.

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Matthew Timoko will get more opportunity to prove himself for the Raiders following Curtis Scott being stood down. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

But Timoko, 21, could be the bolt of good news the club has been searching for.

The powerfully built outside back hails from New Zealand and less than two years ago was working as a teacher’s aide as he tried to support his dream of making a career in rugby league.

He made his NRL debut in round 16 last year against Canterbury off the bench, before his run on debut in round 20 against Cronulla.

Stuart labelled him “a good kid” and told him of his promotion at a team meeting on Monday, with co-captain Jarrod Croker still expected to be sidelined for a further two rounds with a knee injury.

Stuart said Timoko’s selection provided an unexpected boost of energy for the entire playing group who no doubt would have been shell-shocked by the revelations relating to the claims made against Scott.

“This has given Matty the chance to play in the NRL team and it is something that he has worked really hard for,” Stuart said.

Young Albert Hopoate was the other player in contention but he only just returned from a shoulder injury.

The Raiders have their round 16 match against Gold Coast pencilled in as Croker’s likely return game.

But if Timoko goes well against the Broncos, he will then have the following game against St George Illawarra to push his case further.

Scott’s future with Canberra is in doubt following a nightclub brawl. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

There is no doubting Croker has the runs on the board to come straight back into the starting team when he is fit and ready.

But there is also no ignoring there was plenty of debate earlier in the season about Croker’s form with some speculation he was in danger at that point of getting dropped before he was injured.

Of course, since then the Raiders have been in a world of hurt with poor form combined with some off-field issues.

The most recent involved homesick halfback George Williams’ shock exit before the recent loss to the Sydney Roosters.

It was the night after the game against the Roosters in Gosford that the alleged Scott incident occurred while he was on a night out leading into the bye round.

Croker’s steadying influence will be a welcome relief when he finally gets back on the field.

But young Timoko has been viewed as an NRL player-in-waiting for some time now and his mix of speed, power and athleticism make him a player who brings with him big expectations.

The Raiders are already in the market for a new halfback to replace Williams, and there is strong mail former co-captain Josh Hodgson might not be at the club next season.

Depending on how the investigation into the allegations made against Scott pan out, they might now be chasing a centre as well.

The Raiders issued a statement on Monday confirming Scott had been stood down from all club duties pending a full investigation.

Scott, 23, only arrived at the Raiders 18 months ago after an up-and-down career at the Melbourne Storm that wasn’t without its issues.

His time in Canberra has been anything but spectacular.

Scott also found unwanted headlines last year when he was arrested after an Australia Day bender and charged with multiple offences after being found sleeping under a tree near Moore Park.

The charges were ultimately dismissed and Scott is now taking legal action against the police.

SCOTT STOOD DOWN OVER BRAWL

Curtis Scott has been stood down by Canberra as officials investigate the Raiders centre’s involvement in an alleged nightclub incident.

Scott was hauled before an angry Canberra management on Monday morning. The

23-year-old faces the axe after allegedly punching another patron at a Canberra nightclub on Sunday, May 30.

The Raiders released a statement on Monday morning, saying they had “been made aware of an alleged incident involving Curtis Scott.

“The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit and is working with them to investigate the incident.

“Until the investigation is complete Curtis has been stood down from all club duties.

“The Raiders will be making no further comment on the issue until the investigation is complete.”

CCTV footage first revealed by The Canberra Times allegedly shows Scott punching a man inside nightspot Kokomo’s, located in Canberra City.

The nightclub incident had not been reported to ACT Policing as of Sunday afternoon.

Curtis Scott was allegedly involved in a serious incident over the weekend.

Canberra is expected to release a media statement after interviewing Scott on Monday morning at the club’s headquarters in Braddon.

There will be pressure to sack Scott, who has been involved in previous off-field incidents.

Canberra officials may not be in a forgiving mood given the club’s horrid on-field season.

Ultimately though, Canberra’s board will determine the future of Scott, who is off contract after 2023.

“We are working on gathering the facts and understanding what happened and if the police are involved,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“We will take it from there.”

Canberra CEO Don Furner is working on the investigation.

Scott was seen on CCTV shortly before midnight talking to a man in a white shirt before a second man approaches the NRL player.

Scott was involved in another incident on Australia Day last year. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Photos

The altercation then occurs with Scott appearing to swing wild punches.

Canberra had been beaten 44-16 the previous night by the Sydney Roosters at Gosford, with Scott playing in the centres.

The man hit reportedly sustained a broken nose and concussion.

The vision shows Scott being restrained and then ejected from the establishment.

A Kokomo’s duty manager said: “We can’t give away any information, no.”

Scott’s manager Sam Ayoub did not respond to enquiries by The Daily Telegraph.

A Cronulla junior and former Melbourne Storm player, Scott, was arrested on Australia Day last year and charged with several offences, including assaulting police and resisting arrest.

Police officers had pepper sprayed, handcuffed and tasered Scott during his arrest.

All charges were later dropped and a Sydney magistrate instructed NSW Police to pay Scott $100,000 in costs.

Scott is suing the police after being pepper sprayed and tasered last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The Scott drama continues a wretched season for Canberra, who are running 14th with four wins from 12 games this season.

Just a fortnight ago, Canberra released English halfback George Williams with hooker Josh Hodgson telling The Daily Telegraph the reaction to his exit felt “like watching your mate getting kicked in the street and just standing by watching”.

Hodgson has also given up the co-captaincy and spoken about possibly leaving the club, while Joe Tapine’s wife took a pot shot at coach Ricky Stuart on social media.